Objective: We perform reconstruction using frozen tumor bone treated by liquid nitrogen after excision of malignant bone tumors. To prevent post-operative infection, we use iodine-coated implants that we developed. The purpose of this study is to compare the outcome of reconstruction using frozen autograft with non-coated implants (group N) and iodine-coated implants (group I).
Methods: Sixty-two patients were included in group N. The mean age was 31.9 ± 2.3 years. A total of 20 patients died and two were lost to follow-up, averaging 20.0 ± 2.9 months post-operatively, leaving 40 patients available for an assessment at a mean of 79.1 ± 5.8 months post-operatively. There were 38 patients in group I. The mean age was 29.8 ± 3.9 years. The mean follow-up period was 32.1 ± 3.0 months. All patients were alive at the latest follow-up. Survival of frozen bone was determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis.
Results: In group N, survival of frozen bone was 80.7 ± 6.0% and 57.4 ± 10.2% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Complications were encountered in 31 of 62 patients (50.0%), including deep infection in 10 (16.1%), fracture in 11 (17.7%), local soft-tissue recurrence in 6 (9.7%) and bone absorption in 4 (6.5%). In group I, survival of frozen bone was 86.7 ± 6.3% at 5 years. Complications were encountered in 8 of 38 patients (21.1%), including deep infection in one (2.6%), fracture in four (10.5%), local soft-tissue recurrence in two (5.3%) and bone absorption in one (2.6%). There was a significantly lower infection rate in group I (P = 0.032).
Conclusion: Reconstruction using frozen autograft combined with iodine-coated implants for patients with malignant bone tumor is very useful method in which good limb function can be gained with minimized risk of infection.
Keywords: frozen autograft; iodine-coated implants; post-operative infection; sarcoma.
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